Latex-paints

ABSTRACT

The ICI viscosity of a paint is improved by incorporating into the paint a binder that comprises a film former and polymeric composition. The polymeric composition comprises about 30 to about 50 weight percent of a substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer and about 50 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer having a water-soluble homopolymer. The polymeric composition and film former are substantially inseparable by chromatographic means.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/399,868, filed Aug. 29, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,186.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to latex paints.

Latex paints are a mixture of a multitude of ingredients. Typical ingredients include coalescing aids, thickening aids, dispersing aids, defoamers, biocides, pigments, and binders. The large numbers of ingredients makes it difficult to formulate latex paints. In addition, optional ingredients are also employed in latex formulations to enhance various paint properties. For example, rheology modifiers are employed to enhance a paint's film-build characteristics. Film-build is an indication of a paint's hiding power, i.e., an indication of how well one coat of the paint covers a surface. Since flat latex paints are generally applied over a much larger surface area, e.g., wall and ceiling surfaces, than the surface areas typically covered by semi-gloss latex paints, e.g., trim, film-build characteristics are especially important in flat latex paints.

However, use of rheology modifiers in paint formulations tends (a) to make it more difficult to formulate latex paints and (b) to adversely affect other latex paint properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a latex paint capable of exhibiting good film-build characteristics. The paint inherently possesses good rheology so that the use of separate rheology modifiers for improved film build is unnecessary. This result is achieved by employing in the paint a binder that comprises about 95 to about 99.5 weight percent of a high molecular weight film former and about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a particular polymer.

This polymer comprises about 30 to about 50 weight percent of a substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 50 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer having a water-soluble homopolymer. As used in the specification and claims, the term "substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer" means a copolymerizable monomer that does not give high yields (i.e., yields greater than about 95 weight percent, and preferably greater than about 85 weight percent) of high molecular weight (i.e., greater than about 2,000 mw) homopolymer when reacted for about 3 hours at about 90° C. in the presence of about 1 weight percent potassium persulfate; and the term "water-soluble homopolymer" means a homopolymer that is dissolvable in water at a temperature of about 25° C. and at a concentration of at least about 25 g homopolymer per 100 ml water.

The invention also encompasses a film formed by drying the paint, and an article having a portion of its surface coated with film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polymer employed in the paint of the present invention comprises about 30 to about 50 weight percent of a substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 50 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer having a water-soluble homopolymer. Preferably, the polymer comprises about 35 to about 45 weight percent of the non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 55 to about 65 weight percent of the copolymerizable monomer.

Exemplary non-self-polymerizable monomers include, but are not limited to, compounds having the formula I ##STR1## wherein R₁ is hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino, R₂ is hydrogen or CH₂ COZ₁, R₃ and R₄ are independently hydrogen or COZ₂, and Z₁ and Z₂ are independently hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino. Preferably, the compound of formula I contains no more that a total of three, and more preferably no more than a total of two, amino and/or carboxylic acid groups. Each alkoxy moiety generally contains from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms. Most preferably, R₁, Z₁, and Z₂ are hydrogen. One or more different compounds of formula I can be present in the polymer.

Illustrative compounds of formula I are itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconate ester, maleate ester, dimethylmaleate, and fumarate ester. Preferably, the non-self-polymerizable monomer is an acid-containing monomer, and most preferably is itaconic acid.

Typical copolymerizable monomers include, but are not limited to, N-vinyl lactams having the formula II ##STR2## wherein m is an integer from about 3 to about 5 (preferably 3 or 4), and acrylates having the formula III and acrylamides having the formula IV ##STR3## wherein R₅ and R₆ are independently hydrogen or methyl, R₇ is hydrogen or an alkyl group preferably containing 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to about 30, and p is either 0 or 1. More preferably, R₇ is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms. When R₇ is hydrogen, n is preferably 1, and when R₇ is an alkyl group containing about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms, n is preferably within the range of about 20 to about 30.

The most preferred acrylates, and the most preferred copolymerizable monomers are 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. In addition, a single copolymerizable monomer or a mixture of the copolymerizable monomers can be present in the polymer.

Optionally, the polymer comprises et a vinyl monomer, an acrylate monomer, an acrylamide monomer, an alkenyl aromatic monomer, and/or an alkadiene monomer. Typical vinyl monomers include, but are not limited to, vinyl halides, vinylidene halides, vinyl acetate, and acrylonitrile. Chlorine and bromine are exemplary halide moieties of vinyl halide and vinylidene halide monomers.

The acrylate monomers generally have the formula V ##STR4## and acrylamide monomers generally have the formula VI ##STR5## wherein R₈ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups containing 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and halo-substituted alkyl groups containing 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and R₉ and R₁₀ are each an alkyl group independently containing up to about 18 carbon atoms. Preferably, R₈ is selected from the group containing hydrogen and methyl, and R₉ and R₁₀ are each an alkyl group independently containing up to about 8 carbon atoms. Preferred acrylate monomers are selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Ethyl acrylamide and methyl acrylamide, as well as mixtures of these two monomers, are the preferred acrylamide monomers.

As used in the specification and claims, "alkenyl aromatic monomers" are defined as any organic compound containing at least one aromatic ring and at least one aliphatic-containing moiety having alkenyl unsaturation. Preferred alkenyl aromatic monomers are represented by the formula VII ##STR6## wherein X is an aliphatic radical containing at least one alkenyl bond, Y is a substituent on the aromatic ring, and n is the number of Y substituents on the ring, n being an integer from 0 to 5. Generally, X comprises at least 2 carbon atoms, but usually no more than about 6, and preferably no more than about 3 carbon atoms. X is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group. Preferred alkenyl group substituents are halogen radicals, e.g., chloride. However, the most preferred alkenyl group is unsubstituted, i.e., a hydrocarbon, and contains only one olefinic unsaturation. Ethylene is the most preferred X.

Y is an organic or inorganic radical. When n is 2 or more, Y can be the same or different. If organic, Y generally contains from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and, preferably, is an aliphatic radical. Even more preferably, Y is a saturated aliphatic radical. If inorganic, Y is preferably a halogen. Exemplary Y substituents include halo and cyano radicals and substituted and unsubstituted alkyl radicals of 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Preferred Y substituents are chloride and unsubstituted alkyl groups of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Y is more preferably a chloride radical and C₁ to about C₄ unsubstituted alkyl radicals.

Illustrative alkenyl aromatic monomers include styrene, p-methyl styrene, methyl styrene, o,p-dimethyl styrene, o,p-diethyl styrene, p-chlorostyrene, isopropyl styrene, t-butyl styrene, o-methyl-p-isopropyl styrene, o,p-dichlorostyrene, and mixture thereof. Due to its commercial availability and low cost, styrene is the preferred alkenyl aromatic monomers.

Exemplary alkadiene monomers have the formula VIII ##STR7## wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl radicals containing 1 to about 2 carbon atoms. Commercially available alkadiene monomers include butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2-ethyl butadiene, and 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene. The preferred alkadiene monomer is butadiene.

Although the optional monomers can comprise up to about 30 weight of the polymer, the optional monomers preferably comprise about 1 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer. The non-self-polymerizable monomer, the copolymerizable monomer, and the optional monomers (when employed) together generally constitute at least about 95 weight percent of the polymer, and preferably at least about 98 weight percent of the polymer. In fact, it is frequently the case that the only additional ingredients present in the polymer are substances (e.g., surfactants, initiators) that are employed to aid in polymerizing the monomers.

The polymer is made, for example, by charging the monomeric ingredients, water, and a surfactant (when employed) into a reaction vessel, purging the reaction vessel with an inert gas, e.g., nitrogen, to remove essentially all the oxygen from the reactor vessel, and heating the reactor vessel to the reaction temperature, e.g. from about 80° to about 100° C. When the reactor vessel reaches the desired reaction temperature, an initiator is then added to the reaction vessel, and the reaction is continued for about 2 to about 4 hours. After the reaction is completed, the reactor vessel is cooled. This synthesis yields an aqueous polymeric composition comprising the polymer in water. In some instances, the composition has the appearance of a milky emulsion, while in other instances it looks like a clear solution.

Anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants can be employed in the polymer synthesis process. Exemplary anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants are Siponate A246L brand surfactant available from Alcolac, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenol surfactants, and N,N-biscarboxyethyl lauramine, respectively. However in some instances, no surfactant is required.

Typical initiators include thermally generated free radical sources such as persulfates, perphosphates, and hydrogen peroxide. Generally, the initiator is employed in a concentration of about 0.5 to about 2 parts per hundred parts monomer by weight (phm), and preferably in a concentration of about 0.75 to about 1.25 phm.

The aqueous polymeric composition is used in the synthesis of a paint binder. Typically, the binder comprises about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of the polymer and about 95 to about 99.5 weight percent of a high molecular weight film former. Preferably, about 1 to about 4 weight percent of the polymer and about 96 to about 99 weight percent of the film former are present in the binder.

The high molecular weight film formers are typically made from monomers selected from the group consisting of the above described ethylene and vinyl monomers, acrylate monomers, acrylamide monomers, alkenyl aromatic monomers, and alkadiene monomers.

A characteristic of the binder is that the polymer and film former are substantially inseparable by chromatographic means. This characteristic is important in enhancing the rheological properties of a paint containing the binder. In particular, paints containing a blend of the same film former and the same binder do not exhibit the same improvement in rheological properties as paints containing a substantially inseparable combination of these two ingredients. Furthermore, because a separate rheology modifier is unnecessary, paints having improved rheology can be formulated in accordance wit the present invention without complicating the formulation process and without adversely affecting other latex paint properties.

Typically, the binder is formed by synthesizing the film former while adding the polymer to the reaction medium during at least a portion of the synthesis procedure. Preferably, the polymer is added to the reaction medium during about the last 50 percent of the synthesis procedure, and more preferably during the last 25 percent of the synthesis procedure.

More specifically, the binder is prepared by charging water, a surfactant (e.g., anionic and nonionic surfactants), and a buffer (e.g., sodium bicarbonate) into a reactor and then heating the reaction to the desired reaction temperature, for example about 50° to about 90° C., while purging the reactor with an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen. An initiator system is then added to the reactor. The initiator system can be the above described thermally generated free radical sources or a redox system containing an oxidizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) and a reducing agent (e.g., sodium metabisulfite or erythorbic acid).

A film-forming monomer and an additional amount of the initiator system are then simultaneously fed into the reactor by separate feed streams. After a period of time, typically at least about 25 percent of the reaction time, the delay feed of the polymer is commenced. After all the monomer and polymer have been added to the reactor, the reaction is continued for about 15 minutes to about 1 hour, and post-addition ingredients are then added to the reactor to reduce any residual monomer concentration.

The resulting binder typically has a high shear viscosity of at least about 90 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 12,000 sec⁻¹ shear rate. Preferably, the binder has a high shear viscosity of about 90 to about 1,000 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 12,000 sec⁻¹ shear rate. More preferably, the binder has a high shear viscosity of about 100 to about 300 cps measured to about 25° C. and about 12,000 sec⁻¹ shear rate.

In addition, the binder typically has a low shear viscosity of about 100 to about 3,500 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 50 sec⁻¹ shear rate. Preferably, the binder has a low shear viscosity of about 250 to about 1,000 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 50 sec⁻¹ shear rate.

The binder of the present invention is most preferably employed in a paint. Usually, paints have a solids content of at least about 50 percent by volume, and more typically about 50 to about 65 percent by volume. Generally, the paint comprises the binder, a pigment, and a carrier, e.g., water. In addition, the paint also typically comprises a coalescing aid, a thickening aid, a dispersing aid, a defoamer, and a biocide.

Depending upon the intended use of the paint, the pigment volume concentration (PVC) of the paint is generally less than about 70, or less than about 45, and even less than about 35. Paints of the present invention typically have a high shear viscosity of about 100 to about 500 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 12,000 sec⁻¹ shear rate. Preferably, the paints have a high shear viscosity of about 150 to about 300 cps measured at about 25° C. and about 12,000 sec⁻¹ shear rate.

With respect to low shear viscosity, the paint typically has a low shear viscosity of about 65 to about 110 Krebs units measured at about 25° C., and preferably about 80 to about 100 Krebs units measured at about 25° C.

The paint is applied to at least a portion of a surface of a substrate and, when dried, forms a film.

EXAMPLES

The following examples discuss the preparation of exemplary paints within the scope of the present invention. Also, the improved rheology exhibited by these paints is also demonstrated.

EXAMPLE 1 Aqueous Polymer Mixture Synthesis

Water (818 g), Siponate A246L brand anionic surfactant available from Alcolac (19 g), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (37 g), itaconic acid (37 g), ethyl acrylate (33 g), and acrylamide (37 g) were charged to a reactor. The contents of the reactor were mixed. While purging the reactor with nitrogen, the reactor was heated to about 90° C. When the reactor reached about 90° C., an initiator solution comprising about 13 g water and about 1.5 g sodium persulfate was added to the reactor. The reaction was continued for about 3 hours and then the reactor was cooled.

EXAMPLES 2-4 Synthesis of Chain-Entangled Binders

In each experiment, a binder was prepared by charging water, Alipal EP-110 brand anionic surfactant available from GAF (about 98 g, 35% active), and sodium bicarbonate (about 3 g) to a reactor. The amount of water charged into the reactor is set forth in Table I, infra.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                                             Solution  Solution                                         Example  Water, g   Polymer, g                                                                               Polymer, wt %                                    ______________________________________                                         2        426         51       1                                                3        389        100       2                                                4        345        150       3                                                ______________________________________                                    

The reactor was heated to about 70° C. while purging the reactor with nitrogen. About 19 ml of an initiator solution comprising about 71 g water and about 3.5 g potassium persulfate was then added to the reactor. Afterwards, (i) the remaining portion of the initiator solution and (ii) a monomer mixture containing about 658 g vinyl acetate and about 116 g 2-ethylhexyl acrylate were added to the reactor over a period of about 3 hours. Another feed, comprising about 39 g water and the aqueous polymer mixture of Example 1 in the amount stated in Table I, supra, was simultaneously added to the reactor during about the last 1.5 hours of the addition period.

After the addition of all 3 feeds was finished, the reactor was held at about 70° C. for about the next 30 minutes. Next, two post-addition solutions were added to the reactor. One post-addition solution contained about 7.7 g water and about 0.8 g tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide, and the other post-addition solution contained about 7.7 g water and about 0.8 g hydro AWC brand reducing agent. The reactor was cooled after adding the post-additive solutions.

EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of Binder Devoid of Polymer

Another binder was prepared by the same procedure set forth in Examples 2-4, supra, with two modifications, namely, the aqueous polymer mixture of Example 1 was not added at any time during the synthesis of the binder and the 39 g water added to the reactor in Examples 2-4 over about the last 1.5 hours of the addition period was added to the reactor in Example 5 with the initial reactor charge.

EXAMPLES 6-9 PREPARATION OF FLAT PAINTS

Four flat paints (having a PVC content of about 60) were each prepared by combining water, Natrosol 250 HR brand hydroxyethyl cellulose, AMP-95 brand base, Tamol 731 brand dispersing aid, Igepal CO-630 brand nonionic surfactant, ethylene glycol, Colloidal 681-F brand defoamer, Super Ad-it brand biocide (available from Huls-America), Tronox CR-801 brand titanium dioxide, Satin Tone #1 brand extender (available from Engelhard), and Snowflake brand extender (available from ECC America) in the proportions set forth in Table II below.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         Material        Weight, g Volume, ml                                           ______________________________________                                         Water           2131.5    2131.4                                               Natrosol 250 HR 25.0      19.5                                                 AMP-95          19.5      20.9                                                 Tamol 731       27.8      25.0                                                 Igepal CO-630   16.7      15.8                                                 Ethylene Glycol 103.5     92.7                                                 Colloid 681-F   11.1      12.0                                                 Super Ad-it     5.6       5.1                                                  Tronox CR-801   1112.5    276.6                                                Satin Tone #1   834.4     317.4                                                Snowflake       1112.5    411.9                                                ______________________________________                                    

The material combination listed in Table II was dispersed at a high speed to a National Standard rating of about 4. Next, Texanol brand coalescing aid, Colloidal 681-F brand defoamer, and 55% testing vinyl acrylic were added to the ground mixture in the proportions stated in Table III below.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         Material        Weight, g Volume, ml                                           ______________________________________                                         Texanol         38.9      40.8                                                 Colloid 681-F   11.1      12.0                                                 55% testing vinyl                                                                              1418.4    1312.7                                               acrylic                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Each paint had the formulation and physical properties set forth in Tables IV and V, respectively.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                                            Weight, g                                                   ______________________________________                                         Paste                196.52                                                    Texanol              1.42                                                      Colloid 681-F        0.41                                                      55% TS Latex         51.66                                                     Total Weight         250.00  g                                                 Total Volume         170.70  ml                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                         Physical Properties                                                            ______________________________________                                         Viscosity, KU       85-95                                                      Density             12.2 lbs/gal                                               P.V.C.              60%                                                        % Solids                                                                       By Weight           56.3%                                                      By Volume           36.1%                                                      pH                  9.5 +/- 0.5                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 10-13

The high-shear viscosity of each paint formulation was determined using an ICI cone and plate viscometer according to the manufacturer's instructions. The results of these tests are set forth in the following Table VI. As shown in Table VI, a paint employing the chain-entangled binder of Examples 2-4 has a high shear or ICI viscosity substantially improved over a paint formulation that only differs in that its binder is devoid of the polymer of Example 1.

                  TABLE VI                                                         ______________________________________                                                 Binder       Flat Paint                                                Example   TS, %.sup.a  pH    ICI Visc.sup.b                                    ______________________________________                                         2         55.2         4.4   152                                               3         55.1         4.0   221                                               4         55.6         4.2   225                                               5         55.1         4.4   165                                               ______________________________________                                          .sup.a TS % denotes weight percent total solids.                               .sup.b ICI Visc denotes ICI Viscosity measured in cps at about 25°      C. and about 12,000 sec.sup.-1.                                          

Accordingly, as evidenced by the data obtained in Examples 3 and 4, improved ICI viscosity is exhibited by paint formulations incorporating binders prepared by delay-adding particular polymers during the synthesis of the binder or otherwise making the polymer and the film former component of the binder physically inseparable from each other.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, a paint can include one or more ingredients that enhance other paint properties. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A film formed by drying a paint comprising:(i) a binder; (ii) a pigment; and (iii) a carrier,wherein the binder comprises about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a supplemental polymer and about 95 to about 99.5 weight percent of a high molecular weight film former, the supplemental polymer and the film former being substantially inseparable by chromatographic means and the supplemental polymer comprising: (a) about 30 to about 50 weight percent of a substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer; and (b) about 50 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer having a water-soluble homopolymer, the copolymerizable monomer being selected from the group consisting of N-vinyl lactams having the formula ##STR8## wherein m is an integer from about 3 to about 5; acrylates having the formula ##STR9## and acrylamides having the formula ##STR10## wherein R₅ and R₆ are independently hydrogen or methyl, R₇ is hydrogen or an alkyl group, n is an integer from 1 to about 30, and p is either 0 or
 1. 2. The film of claim 1 wherein the binder comprises about 0.5 to about 4 weight percent of the supplemental polymer and about 96 to about 99.5 weight percent of the high molecular weight film former.
 3. The film of claim 1 wherein the supplemental polymer comprises about 35 to about 45 weight percent of the non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 55 to about 65 weight percent of the copolymerizable monomer.
 4. The film of claim 1 wherein the non-self-polymerizable monomer has the formula ##STR11## wherein R₁ is hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino, R₂ is hydrogen or CH₂ COZ₁, R₃ and R₄ are independently hydrogen or COZ₂, and Z₁ and Z₂ are independently hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino.
 5. The film of claim 1 wherein the non-self-polymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconate ester, maleate ester, dimethyl maleate, fumarate ester, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The film of claim 1 wherein the non-self-polymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The film of claim 1 wherein R₇ is hydrogen and n is
 1. 8. The film of claim 1 wherein the copolymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
 9. The film of claim 1 wherein the non-self-polymerizable monomer has the formula ##STR12## wherein R₁ is hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino, R₂ is hydrogen or CH₂ COZ₁, R₃ and R₄ are independently hydrogen or COZ₂, and Z₁ and Z₂ are independently hydroxy, alkoxy, or amino; and the supplemental polymer comprises about 35 to about 45 weight percent of the non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 55 to about 65 weight percent of the copolymerizable monomer.
 10. The film of claim 1 further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl monomers, acrylate monomers, acrylamide monomers, alkenyl aromatic monomers, alkadiene monomers, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The film of claim 1 further comprising about 1 to about 30 weight percent of a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers, acrylate monomers having the formula ##STR13## acrylamide monomers having the formula ##STR14## wherein R₈ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups containing 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and halo-substituted alkyl groups containing 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and R₉ and R₁₀ are each an alkyl group that independently contains up to about 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl aromatic monomers having the formula ##STR15## wherein X is an aliphatic radical containing at least one alkenyl bond, Y is a substituent on the aromatic ring, and n is an integer of from 0 to about 5, and alkadiene monomers having the formula ##STR16## wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl radicals containing 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
 12. The film of claim 1 wherein the binder comprises about 1 to about 4 weight percent of the supplemental polymer and about 96 to about 99 weight percent of the high molecular weight film former.
 13. The film of claim 1 wherein the film former is synthesized in a reactor while delay adding the supplemental polymer to the reactor during at least a portion of the synthesis procedure.
 14. The film of claim 1 wherein the supplemental polymer comprises about 35 to about 45 weight percent of the non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 55 to about 65 weight percent of the copolymerizable monomer; the non-self-polymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconate ester, maleate ester, dimethyl maleate, fumarate ester, and mixtures thereof; and the copolymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
 15. The film of claim 1 wherein the supplemental polymer comprises about 35 to about 45 weight percent of the non-self-polymerizable monomer, and about 55 to about 65 weight percent of the copolymerizable monomer; the non-self-polymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof; and the copolymerizable monomer is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
 16. A film formed by drying a paint comprising:(i) a binder; (ii) a pigment; and (iii) a carrier,wherein at least a portion of the binder is a supplemental polymer comprising: (a) about 30 to about 50 weight percent of a substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer; and (b) about 50 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer having a water-soluble homopolymer, the copolymerizable monomer being selected from the group consisting of N-vinyl lactams having the formula ##STR17## wherein m is an integer from about 3 to about 5; acrylates having the formula ##STR18## and acrylamides having the formula ##STR19## wherein R₅ and R₆ are independently hydrogen or methyl, R₇ is hydrogen or an alkyl group, n is an integer from 1 to about 30, and p is either 0 or 1, wherein the binder is synthesized in a reactor while adding the supplemental polymer to the reactor during at least a portion of the synthesis procedure.
 17. The film of claim 16 wherein the supplemental polymer is added to the reactor during about the last 50 percent of the synthesis procedure.
 18. The film of claim 16 wherein the binder is synthesized by simultaneously adding the supplemental polymer and a film-forming monomer to the reactor, the delay feed of the supplemental polymer being commenced after at least about 25 percent of the reaction time has transpired.
 19. The film of claim 16 wherein the binder comprises about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of the supplemental polymer and about 95 to about 99.5 weight percent of a high molecular weight film former. 